How to Read Disc Golf Numbers?
- The Flight Rating System. The four numbers (5th number on Discraft discs) found on the surface are what we generally called as the flight rating system of the disc.
- Important Reminder. The flight rating system was introduced to give guidance to all players on the behavior and the ability of the disc during the flight.
- Conclusion. ...
Full Answer
What are the numbers on disc golf discs?
Jun 01, 2020 · The first category, speed, is the degree in which a Frisbee travels through air, and it ranges from 1 to 14. If a disc reads “14,” this is the fastest disc on the market today. This is also the Professional Disc Golf Association’s (PDGA) most legal option to use. The faster the disc, the more you will see it cut through the air with less exertion.
What do the numbers on a disc golf disc mean?
So make sure you: • Learn the numbers. • Practice. • Use good technique. • Stay calm, cool, and collected on the course. Don’t get too frustrated with your play. • Finally, play with the right discs. Discs that you like, feel good to you, throw even better, and that have flight ratings somewhere ...
How to choose disc golf discs for beginners?
Aug 17, 2020 · 10 Ways to Learn The Flight Numbers Quickly. Purchase Low Speed Discs and Work Your Way Up. Go Do Field Work. Play Casual Rounds. Play Putter-Only Rounds. Watch Professionals on Youtube. Make a Target to Practice With. Focus on Your Technique. Practice with Drills. Play Disc Golf Valley. Take Videos ...
Which disc golf brand is best?
TURN +1 TO -5. High Speed Turn is the tendency of a disc to turn over or bank to the right (for RHBH throws) during the initial part of the flight. A disc with a +1 rating is most resistant to turning over, while a -5 rating will turn the most. Discs rated -3 to -5 make good roller discs.
How do you read the numbers on a disc golf disc?
1:019:08What Do The Numbers On The Disc Mean? | Flight Rating SystemYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNumbers first one is speed. Second one is glide third one is turn and the fourth is then fade. AndMoreNumbers first one is speed. Second one is glide third one is turn and the fourth is then fade. And these are used to tell you how the disc. Should fly if thrown at the correct speed.
What does the numbers mean on a disc golf?
A disc with a +1 rating is most resistant to turning over, while a -5 rating will turn the most. Discs rated -3 to -5 make good roller discs. Discs with less turn are more accurate in the wind. Discs with more turn are easier to throw for beginners.Mar 7, 2022
What do the 4 numbers mean on a disc golf disc?
The four numbers are: speed, glide, turn, fade. For example, let's take the Discmania FD. The FD has flight ratings of 7, 6, -1, 1. That means this disc has a speed rating of 7, glide rating of 6, turn rating of -1, and a fade rating of 1.Feb 13, 2018
What are the four numbers on a disc golf disc?
The four numbers on a disc golf disc are a flight ratings system that represent the true characteristics of a disc golf disc as it flies through the air, including the speed, glide, turn, and fade of the disc. Basically, how a disc is supposed to fly. Speed: how hard the disc must be thrown.
What is the best number for a roller disc?
When looking for roller discs, -3 to -5 are a perfect number. Less turn-able discs are definitely more accurate in the wind.
What is the fastest disc in golf?
The first category, speed, is the degree in which a Frisbee travels through air, and it ranges from 1 to 14. If a disc reads “14,” this is the fastest disc on the market today. This is also the Professional Disc Golf Association’s (PDGA) most legal option to use. The faster the disc, the more you will see it cut through the air with less exertion. If your disc reads “1,” you can expect the disc to need more power for it to be thrown in the wind.
What are the four categories of Frisbee?
These four categories are: Speed, Glide, Turn, and Fade.
Is a disc more accurate?
However, the slower the disc, the more accurate it will be . Also, if your disc travels with the wind, you can expect it to go further than you thought possible. Beginners should stick with slower discs, while professionals can handle the greater speed options.
Do disc golfers get more glide?
For the newest players, discs with more glide are very favorable for all-out distance. On the other hand, less glided discs have better accuracy, especially in situations where wind is a factor. So, the higher the number, the more glide a disc golf player will get from their Frisbee.
What do the numbers on a disc mean?
So what do the numbers on a disc golf disc mean? The four numbers on a disc golf disc are a flight ratings system that represent the true characteristics of a disc golf disc as it flies through the air, including the speed, glide, turn, and fade of the disc. Basically, how a disc is supposed to fly.
How to get better at disc golf?
1. Buy the right discs: making sure you get discs that match your playing style and your skill level is critically important if you want to improve and get better in disc golf. Nothing is worse than being a beginner and throwing discs that are way too overbearing for your crappy technique. Believe me, I’ve been there and I don’t want you or anyone you know to have to go through that. So make sure you check on the discs you are throwing and make sure they are for beginners.
Why are disc golf discs so hard to master?
The physics of disc flight control exactly how a disc will fly. The Australian Flying Disc Association has a good article called, “ The Physics of Disc Flight,” that explains how spinning discs fly .
What is the best glide on a Latitude 64?
The Latitude 64 River has some of the best glide on the market. Glide ranges from 1 to 7, with the River having a 7 glide rating. This is a great beginner driver. Grab a River here on the Infinite Discs website.
What is a low speed disc?
High speed discs are normally drivers. Those with moderate speed ratings are usually mid-range discs. And low speed discs are often putters and approach discs.
What is a katana disc?
The Katana is a high-speed distance driver all the way. It cuts through the air (pun intended) like a katana. This disc is also known for extraordinary beginning turn and ending fade. If you throw this disc correctly, it will live up to it’s nickname: the “sidewinder on steroids.” Grab a Katana from Infinite Discs for your bag.
How to improve disc golf?
Having someone watch you or film you throwing are good ways to improve in disc golf. 3. Increase your arm speed: If you can increase your arm speed, which is not difficult if you do all of the six things I listed a little while ago, you will quickly start to dominate on the disc golf course.
What Are the Numbers on a Disc Golf Disc?
The four numbers on a disc golf disc were created as a flight rating system which represents the intended path of a disc golf disc as it flies through the air. The four numbers correspond to the following characteristics: speed, glide, turn, and fade.
History of Disc Golf Flight Numbers
Disc golf flight numbers haven’t actually been around as long as people think. The game of disc golf has been around since as far back as the 1970’s (not very long when compared to other sports), but the flight number rating system that is now universally accepted by most companies has only been in place since around 2009.
How Flight Numbers Are Determined
An important note to make is that disc golf manufacturers do not use an industry standardized scale for speed. This means that a 12 speed from one brand, may not necessarily fly the same as a 12 speed from another brand. However, one brands 12 speed disc, will always fly faster than the same brand’s 11 speed disc.
How The Weight of a Disc Affects Flight Path
Theo Pozzy conducted a study in the year 2000 which examined the relationship between many factors and the distance that a disc golf disc will fly. some of the key measurable data included player level, disc mold / brand, disc weight, and release velocity.
Other Flight Rating Systems
Disc Craft has used a single number rating system for years on their discs, and even though they have adopted the widely accepted 4 number rating system, they still include their single number on most of their discs.
Final Thoughts
The flight numbers on a disc golf disc are important to your game, and will influence the flight path of every disc. However, it is important to note that the numbers are only accurate when technique is perfect.
What is the speed of a disc?
Speed is the rate at which a disc can travel through the air. Speed 14 Distance Drivers are the fastest, having the PDGA maximum legal wing width. Faster discs cut into the wind with less effort and are best when throwing up wind. Slower discs take more power to throw upwind, but they’re easier to throw more accurately and may actually go farther downwind. High speed discs are not recommended for beginners as they require more power to fly properly.
What is glide disc?
Glide describes the discs ability to maintain loft during flight. Discs with more glide are best for new players, and for producing maximum distance. Beginners wanting more distance should choose discs with more glide. Discs with less glide are more accurate in high wind situations.
What is the difference between stable and overstable discs?
Stability is a description of the disc’s flight path. Understable means a flight that turns right (RHBH throw). Stable is a flight that doesn’t turn. Over stable refers to a flight that turns left (RHBH throw). Spike/Spike Hyzer is a shot that lands almost vertically and doesn’t skip.
What does the speed number mean on a disc?
The speed number is actually the minimum speed at which you have to throw the disc in order for it to fly like it was designed. The higher the number, the faster you have to throw the disc. The speed rating is also what tells you if the disc is a putter, mid range, or driver.
What is the rating system for Discraft?
Discraft uses a single number based on where the disc lands after completing its flight. Discraft’s rating system gives a number from -3 to +3. The best way to explain this system is to think back to the 4 number system.
What is the speed rating of vibram?
The Vibram speed rating is the minimum throw speed, in MPH, to get the desired flight out of the disc. The turn and fade ratings are given on a scale of 0-30.
What is the 4 number system?
The four number rating system is the most commonly used rating system by disc manufacturers. Despite frequently being referred to as The Innova System, many other companies (Latitude 64, Dynamic Discs, Westside, Legacy, etc.) use the same system. Being used by so many different brands provides some great benefits, but also has its drawbacks. One of the main benefits of so many companies using the same system means a lot of people recognize the numbers. One of the biggest drawbacks is that not many people fully understand them. It is also worth noting that while many companies use this four number system, comparing one company’s discs to another company’s disc isn’t always compatible.
What are the drawbacks of the 4 number system?
It is also worth noting that while many companies use this four number system, comparing one company’s discs to another company’s disc isn’t always compatible. So let’s break the system down.
What does each number on a disc mean?
For any Discmania disc, you'll find a series of four numbers and each one represents something about that the flight of that disc. Many in disc golf will always look for flight ratings and will always be curious about them for any new disc they are interested in. Others tend to ignore them.
What is the speed rating of a disc?
Speed ratings range from 1 to 14. Discs with a lower speed rating tend to be easier to throw, but might not go as far. If you're looking for more distance, speed ratings on the higher side of that range will accomplish that, but could be harder to throw. The harder a disc is to throw, the less room there is for error.
What is the turn rating of a FD3?
As a comparison, the Discmania FD3 has a 0 rating for turn. Without even throwing the two discs, you can expect more turn on the FD than the FD3. One reason why you see most beginner discs with negative turn ratings is the result if you aren't able to get a disc up to speed.
What does fade mean on a disc?
Fade can be also be described as the low speed stability. As the flight of a disc begins to end and the disc begins to lose power, the fade will begin. For discs with a higher fade rating, like the Discmania PD2, you might see the fade begin earlier than a disc with a lower rating and you'll see it finish harder.
What happens when you throw a disc at full speed?
Using the Discmania CD3 as an example, when thrown at full power, or more specifically, the speed that the disc wants for it's desired flight, you'll see a good turn begin and the disc will move to the right at the start of the flight. Let's say you aren't able to get the CD3 up to full speed.
What happens if you throw a disc with a negative turn rating?
If a disc has a negative rating for turn, and you aren't seeing any turn when you throw it, you might not be getting it up to the desired speed. The same can be said for fade. If you're seeing more fade than you'd expect, you might be struggling to get that disc up to the desired speed. Flight Rating: Glide.
Why don't you see distance drivers recommended for beginners?
You can also think of speed as the amount of power you need to put behind the disc in order to get the intended flight out of it. This is one reason why you don't see distance drivers recommended for beginners.
How to improve disc golf?
1. Master turn and fade: hopefully you’ve begun to understand turn and stability as you’ve gone through this post. But you need to take it a step further in order to improve and master stability. Learn how low-speed fade can affect disc flight.#N#2. Throw the right discs for your skill level: we’ve talked a little bit about discs and skill level in this post, but we stress this important concept all over our site. Make sure that you are throwing discs that pair with the skill level you are currently at. Understable discs are mainly for beginner players, stable discs are for intermediate players, and overstable discs are for really good players. Simple, right?#N#3. Why not learn a little bit more about disc flight?: knowing the physics of disc flight can be helpful and can give you a small advantage on the course. Check out or post, “How Does a Disc Golf Disc Fly Through the Air?”#N#4. Learn about Hyzer and Anhyzer: understanding how the disc flies according to release angle can really affect your disc golf game. Learning this allows you to use stability and angle together to be able to throw any shot on the course. Check out our post, “What’s the Difference Between a Hyzer and an Anhyzer?”#N#5. Practice: this is probably one of the most taken for granted tips for getting better at anything in the world of disc golf. But I still post it as a tip all the time. Want to get better at driving? Go practice. Want to putt better? Go practice. And if you want to master stability and how discs fly, go practice. This tip is simple and easy, too.
What is the most common throw in disc golf?
The backhand throw is one of the most common throws in all of disc golf. It's tough to perfect, but once you master it, you open yourself up to learn the game and become a great disc golfer. But...
How do discs fly?
Discs, when released, will fly according to how stable, understable, or overstable they are. Stable: discs will usually fly straight when released flat. Understable: discs will turn over to the right when released flat. Overstable: discs will usually fade more to the left at the beginning of flight when released flat.
What is an overstable disc?
Now overstable discs are those that are not really meant for beginners. These discs, normally in the driver category because of the design of the disc, require a lot of speed in order to fly straight during flight. That means you need to have a lot of arm strength and power behind your throw. Overstable discs usually fade into the opposite direction of the disc’s spin. So for a rhbh thrower, the disc will spin right and turn to the left. But these discs are usually the most predictable for better players, which is why pros love them so much.#N#These discs work well in a variety of situations including: serious headwind, skip shots, and for when you need a disc that finishes hard left.
What is the best understable disc for beginners?
Best understable discs for beginners. The Innova Leopard is definitely one of the best beginner fairway drivers. It literally comes in Innova’s beginner disc golf pack. Check out the Leopard here on InfiniteDiscs.com or you can get it in this beginner pack on Amazon. I also love the Latitude 64 River fairway driver.
What is the difference between an overstable disc and an understable disc?
Whereas understable discs turn over more to the right at the beginning of flight. When first thrown, overstable turns more left and understable turns more right. Check out Ivan Katz’s explanation of overstable and understable.
What does stability mean in discs?
Stability is simply how a disc immediately flies after it is released from the throwers hand straight and flat. The level of stability in a disc will determine if it is going to turn to the right right away, fly straight through the whole flight, or fade to the left early on in the disc’s flight.
